A vehicle seat belt system is provided. The vehicle seat belt system includes a seat belt comprising a tubular seat belt webbing defining a passageway and a plurality of pressure control valves and a seat belt buckle for connecting to the seat belt. The seat belt buckle has an air delivery port for delivering air to the passenger, and an air delivery device supplies air to the seat belt, wherein the valves allow the supplied air to exit the seat belt at a first air pressure and block air from exiting at a second pressure.
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1. A vehicle seat belt system comprising:
a seat belt comprising a tubular seat belt webbing defining a passageway and a plurality of pressure controlled valves; and
an air delivery device supplying air to the seat belt, wherein the valves allow the supplied air to exit openings in the seat belt webbing at a first air pressure and block the supplied air from exiting the openings at a second air pressure.
8. A vehicle seat belt system comprising:
a seat belt comprising a tubular seat belt webbing defining a passageway and a plurality of pressure controlled valves;
a seat belt buckle for connecting with the seat belt, wherein the seat belt buckle forms an air delivery passage for delivering air to the passageway; and
an air delivery device coupled to the seat belt buckle for supplying air to the seat belt webbing.
16. A vehicle seat belt system comprising:
a seat belt comprising a tubular seat belt webbing defining a passageway and a plurality of pressure controlled valves;
a seat belt buckle and tongue for connecting with the seat belt, wherein the seat belt buckle and tongue form an air delivery port for delivering air to the passageway; and
an air delivery device supplying air to the seat belt webbing, wherein the plurality of valves allow the supplied air to exit openings in the seat bell webbing at a first air pressure and block the supplied air from exiting the openings at a second air pressure.
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10. The seat belt system of
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18. The seat belt system of
19. The seat belt system of
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The present invention generally relates to vehicle seat belts, and more particularly relates to the delivery of air through the seat belt for enhanced seat belt comfort.
Automotive vehicles are typically equipped with seat belts for restraining passengers seated in vehicle seats. Conventional seat belts typically include a lap belt and a shoulder belt connected to a buckle which, in turn, connects to the vehicle structure, such as a seat or floor. The seat belt is typically made of a seat belt webbing that contacts the body of the seated passenger. The webbing can buildup thermal energy and cause discomfort for some passengers. It is desirable to provide for a seat belt system that provides enhanced comfort for the seated passenger.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a vehicle seat belt system is provided. The vehicle seat belt system includes a seat belt comprising a tubular seat belt webbing defining a passageway and a plurality of pressure controlled valves, and an air delivery device supplying air to the seat belt, wherein the valves allow the supplied air to exit openings in the seat belt webbing at a first air pressure and block air from exiting the openings at a second pressure.
Embodiments of the first aspect of the invention can include any one or a combination of the following features:
According to another aspect of the present invention, a vehicle seat belt system is provided. The vehicle seat belt system includes a seat belt comprising a tubular seat belt webbing defining a passageway and a plurality of pressure controlled valves. The seat belt system also includes a seat belt buckle for connecting with the seat belt, wherein the seat belt buckle forms an air delivery passage for delivering air to the passageway. The seat belt system further includes an air delivery device coupled to the seat belt buckle for supplying air to the seat belt webbing.
Embodiments of the second aspect of the invention can include any one or a combination of the following features:
According to a further aspect of the present invention, a vehicle seat belt system is provided. The vehicle seat belt system includes a seat belt comprising a tubular seat belt webbing defining a passageway and a plurality of openings, and a seat belt buckle and tongue for connecting with the seat belt, wherein the seat belt buckle and tongue forms an air delivery port for delivering air to the passageway. The system also includes an air delivery device supplying air to the seat belt webbing, wherein the valves allow the supplied air to exit the openings via the valves at a first air pressure and block air from exiting the openings at a second pressure.
Embodiments of the third aspect of the invention can include any one or a combination of the following features:
These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present invention will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.
In the drawings:
As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to a detailed design; some schematics may be exaggerated or minimized to show function overview. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.
Referring now to
The seat belt system 20 is shown as a three-point seat belt configuration having a tubular seat belt webbing 24 connected at a first connection end 28 generally near the top of the seat back 16 or another supporting portion within the vehicle such as the B-pillar, a second connection point connected to the floor or the seat 14 of the vehicle generally in the region of the lap of the passenger seated on the seat 14, and a third connection point 30 shown connected to a connector tongue 32 which releasably connects or fastens to a seat belt buckle 34. The connector tongue 32 is matingly and releasably coupled to the seat belt buckle 34 for fastening the tongue 32 onto the buckle 34. The seat belt system 20 includes the seat belt comprising the tubular seat belt webbing 24 defining an interior passageway and a plurality of air exhaust openings 50 formed therein. In the embodiment shown, the seat belt webbing 24 includes a shoulder belt 22A that is generally positioned to extend from the lap over the shoulder and chest of a passenger and a lap belt 22B which is positioned to extend over the lap of the passenger when seated in the seat assembly 12. The lap belt 22B and shoulder belt 22A may be connected to one another or may be separate belts. It should be appreciated that the shoulder belt 22A or the lap belt 22B or both the shoulder belt 22A and lap belt 22B may include the tubular passageway operatively coupled to air delivery and air exhaust openings 50, according to various embodiments.
The vehicle seat belt system 20 also includes an air delivery device 40 for supplying forced air to the seat belt webbing 24. The air delivery device 40 may be located within or below the vehicle seat assembly 12, as shown in
As seen in
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Accordingly, the vehicle seat belt system 20 advantageously provides for a plurality of pressure controlled valves and air delivery through the valves at a first pressure and expansion of the seat belt webbing for seat belt comfort at a second air pressure. Further, the vehicle seat belt system 20 advantageously allows air to be delivered through the seat belt buckle into the seat belt webbing. The system 20 therefore advantageously provides for enhanced comfort and thermal control.
It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of the present invention, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.
Yilma, Benjamin, Spahn, Brian Robert, DeSmet, Jr., Edward Joseph, Raines, Travis Justin, Vo, Jeffrey Tien
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Jun 30 2017 | YILMA, BENJAMIN | Ford Global Technologies, LLC | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 043039 | /0762 | |
Jul 10 2017 | SPAHN, BRIAN ROBERT | Ford Global Technologies, LLC | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 043039 | /0762 | |
Jul 12 2017 | VO, JEFFREY TIEN | Ford Global Technologies, LLC | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 043039 | /0762 | |
Jul 17 2017 | DESMET, EDWARD JOSEPH, JR | Ford Global Technologies, LLC | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 043039 | /0762 | |
Jul 18 2017 | RAINES, TRAVIS JUSTIN | Ford Global Technologies, LLC | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 043039 | /0762 | |
Jul 19 2017 | Ford Global Technologies, LLC | (assignment on the face of the patent) | / |
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